Source: Supplied.

Aprilia Racing’s Aleix Espargaro will return to the MotoGP circuit this weekend at Valencia in Spain for the final round of the 2017 world championship, after a hand injury sidelined from the Malaysian grand prix.

Espargaro, who was on streak of strong results, injured his hand at the Australian grand prix, which saw him later require surgery to repair the damage.

“I can’t wait to get back in the saddle,” said Espargaro. “I have missed the RS-GP! I was sorry to miss the Malaysia round due to the injury. Unfortunately ours is a dangerous sport and these things can happen. I am confident.

“My hand is better and despite the fact that there is still some pain, I will give 100 percent. The entire team and I deserve to finish this season well. We have worked hard and we want to tackle preparation for 2018 with the right confidence.”

The Aprilia Racing outfit will use a special Red livery this weekend in support of the foundation that has raised $475-million to the global fund in the battle against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. The organisation’s logo is slated to be the only one donned across the pair of RS-GP machines on-track.